Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa died on Feb. 25, after she underwent brain surgery
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Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa.Credit : gofundme
A 12-year-old girl is dead following an apparent bullying incident.
Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa died in the hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 25, after she underwent brain surgery tied to an incident that took place 10 days earlier, when she was allegedly hit in the head with a metal water bottle by another student in a hallway, NBC 4 Los Angeles, KTLA and Fox 11 reported.
Chuquipa’s family claims the preteen suffered severe headaches in the days after the incident, but was sent home when taken to the emergency room. Days later, the 6th grader returned to the hospital after collapsing due to a brain hemorrhage, the outlets reported.
“Major blood vessels in her brain ruptured, and she was rushed to UCLA Children’s hospital, placed in an induced coma, and underwent complex emergency brain surgery,” a GoFundMe page set up following Chuquipa’s death said. “Her family remained by her side, praying and hoping she would come home, but at 3:30 a.m., her heart gave out.”
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Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa.
gofundme
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating Chuquipa’s death as a homicide, according to KTLA. Authorities have not released any other details surrounding the investigation at this time.
On the GoFundMe, Chuquipa’s loved ones wrote, “As the baby of our family, she brought a special light and joy into our lives.”
“She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future,” the fundraising page added.
Chuquipa’s mother, Elma, told NBC 4 Los Angeles, “I’m devastated. I’m full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again.”
“It’s a cautionary tale that this should not happen to anybody’s kid,” Chuquipa’s uncle, Guy Gazit, told Fox. 11. “Its a fear of every parent, every uncle and every brother and every loved one to lose someone, but especially when it is someone who is so young that did nothing wrong to anybody.”
The 12-year-old was a student at Reseda High, a charter school that educates students from grades six through 12. A memorial has been set up outside the school, where many have since gathered.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said, per KTLA, that the organization “is deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student.”
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“Our thoughts and condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire school community,” the statement continued.
Added the spokesperson: “Out of respect for the family and to protect confidentiality, we cannot share details.”
The LAUSD statement also said that the school district “remains committed to providing support to students, staff, and families affected by this loss, including counseling services and additional resources on campus.”
“The District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident,” the statement concluded.
The LAPD and the LAUSD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Feb. 28.
